Top Learnings from books I’ve read — #2
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” ― Jorge Luis Borges
In today’s post, I want to share the most valuable learnings from these three books I read recently —
1. The View from Cheap Seats, Neil Gaiman
“We who make stories know that we tell lies for a living. But they are good lies that say true things, and we owe it to our readers to build them as best we can. Because somewhere out there is someone who needs that story.”
“Honesty matters. Vulnerability matters. Being open about who you were at a moment in time when you were in a difficult or an impossible place matters more than anything. Having a place the story starts and a place it’s going, that’s important. Telling your story as honestly as you can and leaving out the things you don’t need, that’s vital.”
This book has such a truthful & nostalgic feel to it, that you just can’t help getting inspired.
I am a writer, and after reading the 1st four of Neil’s chapters I was totally hooked. They way he talks about experiences, feelings and the things which make us human, is truly incredible & written in a very simple manner. Loved this completely!
“I believe that in the battle between guns and ideas, ideas will, eventually, win. Because the ideas are invisible, and they linger, and, sometimes, they can even be true.” — Neil Gaiman, The View From Cheap Seats
2. The Art of War, Sun Tzu
“What you do is what matters, not what you think or say or plan.”
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
The Art of War is the perfect playbook for anyone who’s ever dreamt of achieving success in face of staunch adversaries. Originally meant as a guide for military tactics and strategies, The Art of War can actually be applied in today’s practical, day-to-day world. It teaches a lot about preparation, commitment, intelligence and decision-making. If you’re facing any sort of conflict, or are at a crossroad in your lives, you will all find valuable guidance in these pages.
Specifically, I’d suggest the Annotated and Explained version of Sun Tzu’s book. This way you can effectively understand and apply the techniques in your actions and struggles.
“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity” — Sun Tzu
3. Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Gabriel Garcia Marquez
“He always considered death an unavoidable professional hazard.”
This is a gem of a book. It is a short, crisp and thrilling narrative of a man who is going to be shot because of his unquiet & honest passion towards his lover.
The true mastery of the author is portrayed in the way he gives us a chronological tale of a colourful village and its intricate affairs. And then not-so-subtly putting the protagonist & his lover right in the centre of the village’s intrigue & scandal; that’s genius.
“It was she who did away with my generation’s virginity. She taught us much more than we should have learned, but she taught us above all that there’s no place in life sadder than an empty bed.” — Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold
So these were powerful & key takeaways I got from these three books. Please do let me know your thoughts if you’ve read them, and have a lovely day ahead!,
This story is published in The Startup, Medium’s largest entrepreneurship publication followed by +436,678 people.
Subscribe to receive our top stories here.
